SEVEN (7)

Journey To The Gold Coast.

Fedo alighted from the cab quickly and asked the taximan to hurriedly help him unload his luggage. The taximan thought it very uneccesarry and tried to explain to him that he was with just two bags. Nevertheless the taximan still helped him unload one of the bags. Fedo paid hastily before taking up one of the bags on his right shoulder by the straps. The other bag was actually a box with rollers. He took out the handle and rolled the bag towards the sea port.

He was almost devastated to discover his yatch was already at sea, though not moving very fast. He took out his phone from his pocket and called sandy. The activities and noise at the port did not let him hear her phone ringing from behind him. He was getting frustrated, he looked around but all he could see was different people going about their various activities. He could not make up enough courage to interupt any body's activity just for the mere reason of asking for help on how to get to a luxury boat.

‘hey baby', a familiar voice called from behind him. He turned with relief to discover it was sandy.

‘whats wrong?', sandy asked naughtily.

‘they took the yatch and left without us', Fedo said out of frustration and anger. ‘i mean, how could they do that, my money was included in the..?', he stopped because Sandy was laughing at him.

‘it's not funny you know', he said calming down and turning towards the waters.

Sandy moved towards him and collected the box with rollers from him and then started walking away. Fedo had no choice but to follow her. She walked graciously towards the waters, slowly maneuvering her way through the crowd of people whom always seemed to be busy. Fedo followed her wishing he had some super power that could make him take all the people and throw them into the ocean at once. When he finally came out of the crowd to face the waters, he saw sandy already on a small speed boat. He wanted to stop and watch how beautiful she looked but changed his mind to hurry up and get to the boat before she would go without him.

‘you didn't think I would leave without you, did you?', Sandy asked smiling. ‘ehnm', he stammered sitting close beside her, only because that was the only space left. He almost asked for permission if he could sit beside her. ‘so you think I would leave without you?', she asked again this time feigning anger. ‘no I did no say that', he tried to explain to her, half mindedly though because he knew she was capable of doing such. He spent over thirty seconds trying to apologize and plea with her before she smiled again. ‘they sent me to come get you', she told him smiling at him.

‘seriously, why?',

‘because they knew you would not have the idea of boarding the speedboat',

The boat man could not hide his laughter so he tried covering it by revving up the boat, there by increasing acceleration. Fedo stretched out his hands to grab on the side of the boat to gain stability. He tried very hard to keep his right hand down so that he would not touch Sandy who was sitting very perfectly calm and still. He felt a little bit ashamed of himself but did not let go of the boat.

On getting close to the yatch Fedo left hold of the boat so as not to show his fear perhaps his fellow men were on the deck. And luckily they were. The speedboat got to one side of the yatch and didn't really pull up, but kept moving slowly to keep up the pace of the yatch. The yatch let down stairs immediately as though it was expecting them. Sandy held up one of Fedo's bag and it was received by those on the deck, then she did the same for the other bag before alighting the big boat.

‘that's a fine babe you've got there', said the boatman directly into Fedo's ear that made him bend his head over and he almost fell into the waters. The boatman laughed his heart out but Fedo just hissed and went on deck.

‘you are welcome captain Fedo', Chuks said immediately Fedo was on deck. ‘thanks', said Fedo waving slightly. He tried to retrieve his bag bag but Sandy had already given them to Ify who was already disappearing bellow the deck with the bags.

‘the yatch is magnificent', Fedo said whilst proceeding to shake hands with the men who had come to welcome him. First Chuks, then Emeka and then Osas. ‘welcome sir', Emeka and Osas said simultaneously.

‘thanks', he replied looking around the yatch. ‘this boat is magnificent', he said for the second time.

‘if you don't mind', chucks told him, ‘i would like to show you the navigation room', he added gesturing with his hands the way. The four men adhered to the direction with Chuks leading the way, while Sandy went after Ify.

‘where is Vincent?', Fedo asked anxiously. ‘he is up there', replied Osas. ‘up where?', he asked turning again to Osas. ‘the navigation room of course', replied Chuks just as a professional guide would.

*******

‘Ify!', Sandy called out on getting down to the cabin but no response. The cabin was beatifully and luxuriously arranged. A small lounge-like room served as a living room. A small glass table at the middle with beautiful long cushion chairs surrounding it. The seats was placed so one cold pass in between them. The room was round. On one side stood a mini bar and opposite it was a doorway. Opposite the sitting position there also was a mini casino, purely made for fun with three TV sets and various types of electrical gaming consoles. Aside from the bar, the remaining space was divided into two equal part for the living room and the casino. By the side of the bar was a hidden door which led to a room which had three electronic chairs that aided elevation to the navigation room. Behind that room was the control room which could only be accessed from the navigation room. The room was crafted so someone could walk from the bar to the doorway opposite without any obstruction. Sandy stood in the living room for some seconds trying to guess where Ify was. But there was not much for a guess, it was either she was in the elevating room or she was inside the door opposite the bar. Sandy chose the latter door and went through it. Inside was five small room crafted as bedrooms. Two on each sides and one six meters away facing the entrance directly. Sandy discovered that the door of the room facing her was slightly open. She moved close to the door and opening it slowly she found Ify unpacking Fedo's things. ‘you are not supposed to be doing that you know', Sandy said to Ify making her jerk her head up. ‘oh I know', Ify replied smiling. Sandy proceeded to sit beside Ify.

‘what's that', Sandy asked Ify

‘it's a framed photo of you', she replied holding it up.

‘so Fedo loves me this much

‘i guess so' Ify handed over the frame to her.

‘but why doesn't he show it?'

‘we all know Fedo is a shy guy', Ify replied her and patted her on the back to cheer her up.

‘yeah i know he is shy', Sandy said sadly, ‘but doesn't he notice my advances'.

‘he does Sandy, its just a matter of time'. 'you know what', Ify concluded, ‘let me get us something to drink', she stood up and walked out leaving Sandy with the photo.

******

It was evening and every one had settled to the living room for rest after much arrangements and familiarization with the boat. Fedo was sitting in his cushion chair alone with Sandy standing behind him and leaning on the chair. Chuks sat with Ify, while Osas, Vincent and Emeka sat alone on their various seats. Everyone had a glass of drink in their hands save Sandy and Fedo, and all were dressed in pajamas .

‘this ship is the real deal', said Vincent gently after taking a sip of his drink.

‘it's not actually a ship’, Fedo tried to correct him.

‘but you understand what he meant afterall', Sandy said pushing him by the head gently, before proceeding to sit by his side and wrap her hands around him.

‘go easy on him', Emeka said chuckling. The others were all smiling.

‘yeah I know its not a ship', Vincent replied adhering the correction, ‘i just mean it's as bad as a ship'.

‘what do you mean by that', asked Chuks. Vincent was a man of few words, so one had to question him to reveal the meanings of his parable.

Vincent took a sip before answering.

‘this boat has auto pilot enabled, as far as there is satellite direction it would take you wherever you want. It has auto security which can detect any threat from afar, be it shark or another marine vehicle as well as a submarine.'.

‘wow', everyone echoed.

‘and not only that, it has the ability to chase away sharks and also to shoot at potential threatening vehicles’, he took a sip of his drink before adding, ‘but definitely not without our consent'. He said this pointing a finger from the hand that held his glass.

‘wow, impressive', Osas remarked. Everyone agreed with him until he went further to tell them that it's not the boat he meant but Vincent, ‘he said plenty words at a time'. That made everyone laugh and Ify threw a cushion pillow at him.

There was silent for a moment.

‘so were are we going with the boat? ' asked Emeka admist swallowing.

‘nowhere', replied Fedo, ‘we just hang around here in lagos'.

‘for one whole month', asked Osas.

‘of course', Chuks cut in, ‘it's a hired boat you know?'.

‘yeah I know but I feel like it's wastage of the autopilot system'. Emeka replied taking a sip. ‘yeah', agreed Osas.

‘it might seem so to you', Fedo stated, ‘and by the way, we don't have enough power to go too far from land', Everyone nodded in consideration and agreement except Vincent.

He smiled and said, ‘did I mention that this ship is fully solar-powered with two crystolona panels. And it also has too heavy duty backup generators?'.

‘you are the sailor you tell us', Chuks said excited.

‘woaw that's amazing' Sandy said.

‘it's truly a luxury yacht', Ify added.

‘we should take a trip, don't you think', Osas said raising his cup.

‘yes', everyone agreed and toasted to the idea smiling, except Fedo who seemed to be in deep thought.

‘what do you think Fedo', Vincent asked but got no reply.

All attention was on him but he was lost in thought.

‘Fedo!', Chuks yelled cutting his thoughts.

‘i don't know he replied', as though he was with them all the while. ‘were are we even to go?', he asked turning to everyone.

‘i have the best idea', Emeka said drawing all attention to himself.

‘where', Sandy asked anxiously.

‘the shores of Ghana'.

Everyone hummed and nodded in agreement.

‘what do you say baby', Sandy asked Fedo, ‘i don't know', he replied.

‘you are the captain, whatever you say we follow', Chuks stated clearly to him. ‘yes', everyone agreed. ‘say something', Ify added.

‘okay, okay, left for me, we should stay here. but if y'all wants to go on a trip I can never be a barrier, so we can go'.

Everyone was happy and they toasted again. Ify stood up to collect glasses for Fedo and Sandy, she then poured out drinks for them from the bottle on the glass table.

‘by this time tomorrow, this ship would be on voyage to THE GOLD COAST', Vincent said admist merriment and partying.

Fedo took a sip of his drink and then gently said, ‘please stop calling this boat a damned ship'. Everyone laughed.

********

On his bed Fedo could not stop looking at the photo of Sandy which she placed on his bed table while arranging his things.

There was a knock on the door and before he could answer Sandy came in and closed the door behind her.

‘can I stay with you for the night?', she asked standing beside his bed. He had no other reply but; ‘of course'.

********

The clap of thunder woke Fedo and Sandy up in a jerk. Fedo quickly put on his shoes and fled out to the living room. Sandy followed. He wanted to go out through the top but was stopped by Sandy who reminded him that it was raining. They went through the back door and used the electeonic chairs to get to the navigation room where everyone was standing, looking worried.

‘whats happening', Fedo asked Chuks who was standing beside Vincent who was busy trying to control the boat.

‘there a storm', Chuks replied.

Fedo looked at the clock on the dashboard and it was showing 6:34 am. Vincent was busy touching this and that while Chuks aided him in every possible way.

Fedo move back towards Emeka and Osas who looked a little scared.

‘what happened?', he asked them. Osas took it upon himself to give the reply.

‘I and Vincent woke up this morning to initiate the auto pilot mode to Ghana, it was nice and smooth at first until we got caught up in this storm'. ‚why didn't you check the forecast', Fedo asked annoyed.

‘they did', Emeka defended Osas.

‘the main problem now is that the storm is drifting us to unknown locations, and the clouds are blocking our satellite connections', Osas moved on to say. At that moment it seemed the boat had hit something. Everyone staggered and tried to hold something to gain balance. The noise the rain made increased and no one could here each other except they talked at the top of their voice. The boat was rocking so greatly that Sandy and Ify almost fell, but Fedo and Emeka went to their aid in time.

Fedo held Sandy with one hand, and used the other hand to hold unto something. And likewise did Emeka do with Ify. Everyone stood staggering for a long time before Vincent raised an alarm. ‘what did you say', Chuks asked at the top of his voice.

‘i see land!!', Vincent screamed back. Chuks turned to Fedo and screamed the words to him.

‘tell him to go for it’, Fedo replied Chuks at the top of his voice too. Chuks told the instructions to Vincent. But Vincent gestured he had no control of the boat and then said the storm was doing the auto piloting. They both found a reason to laughed.

At the moment Chuks sighted the land for the first time. It was a great Island.

‘it's an island’, he screamed to Vincent. ‘yes', Vincent yelled back.

He turned and Screamed, ‘its an island', to everyone.

Fedo nodded, and then “baaaaang" the noise came from the basement. Everyone was off their feet, The boat had hit something large.

Fedo tried standing up and then “baaaaaam"

All he could see while on the floor was Sandy lying as though she was lifeless.

Then he passed out.

©stories of ease

Godwin Samuel